Password HDD on Laptop.Can I install new drive without lock?

I have a Gateway NV5378u " NV53 " Laptop that somehow has Locked it's Hard Drive and Requires a Password.

This has Nothing to do with Any Version of Windows or the BIOS Password. It is a new " Pain in the ASS " feature of hard drives that you can Password Protect the Hard Drive in the bios to prevent data theft and makes the drive unusable. The Drive is UN-Formatable, Unlock able without sending it in for a Fee. Unfortunately Gateway must have put this lock password on the drive because the laptop has never been Serviced and no one has had access to the BIOS. Gateway Does NOT Deserve any more money for this stupid crap. From what I read some laptops will do this after setting for some time? " I don't know the truth to this? " But Whatever.

I have tried ZU.EXE, and ATAPWD.EXE and no luck with either. So I guess all Files are lost.

New Question is "which I can't seem to ask Gateway without Paying them" can I just install a new hard drive in this laptop and install Linux on it without the BIOS locking the new drive?

I had to completely remove the old drive to even get the system to boot off a CD or USB drive. Linux Mint 12 ran perfectly off a USB Pendrive after that.

I just don't want to waste $60 on a new 500 gig drive only to have this laptop lock me out of it. Will it give me the option to Password the new drive? or will it auto lock it?

Actually fellows I have seen locks where Gateway does in fact have some coding that basically renders the computer useless until you call them, and they give you a code to unlock it. Not sure exactly how it functions but it seems effective. The computers I had seen it activated on were ones where the users were renting to own the product from the company and they have problems, usually non payment from customer for whatever reason. I as a licensed fellow would not bypass security features installed by some one with a vested interest, so unfortunately I don't think you will find much help. Best to stick another old hard drive in it and see if this is locked at the bios level or if swapping out the hd will work.

PS the shop I worked at had a contract to fix gateways from a rent to own place.....that was how I first ran into Gateway doing this. Messy business with computers.

You pay us the money you owe us and we'll re-activate your computer no harm done.....so to speak. Not suggesting this is the case here, just that was the case in the ones I had seen locked. It has been awhile and since I cannot remember if it is a bios lock or installed software, which is why I suggest just seeing what it does if you do put in another drive.

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